Today's Opinions

Pastor Joel Gregory tells the story of a seminary professor who taught the Christian graces of love and forbearance for forty years until he retired. Occupying himself in his retirement years, he poured a new concrete driveway to his house. Finished, he went in to rest and get a glass of iced tea. Returning later to view his proud achievement, he discovered that the neighborhood kids were putting their footprints in the wet concrete.

I have to admit, I’ve had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year.

Typically I am that annoying person who starts playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving, while I put up the tree and decorate the house. Usually, I’ve started Christmas shopping in October and would be pretty much done before Dec. 1. By now my coworkers and friends would be tired of the baked goods and yummy snacks I would have inundated them with on a daily basis.

Someone pointed out that we live in two worlds – the world that is and the world we want it to be. Faith takes hold of the world that is and makes it what we want it to be. Faith takes the possible and makes it real. It was the great William James who said, “As the essence of courage is to stake one’s life on a possibility, so the essence of faith is to believe that the possibility exists.” By believing that a better tomorrow is possible, we have the courage to give our best to the creating of that tomorrow.

The holiday season presents particularly stressful situations to those struggling with grief. For many, this is the first holiday since the death of a loved one. Many can’t bear to see a Christmas tree. Every light, gift box and song invokes a painful recollection. These memories come at inopportune times, sometimes accompanied by a single tear, and sometimes with an anguish that buckles the knees. We each have to fight our way back towards “normal” and holidays are part of that struggle.

When my grandfather passed away in February of 1990, it was the first major loss in my life. I fumbled through the grieving process, desperately trying to be strong for my grandmother whose home I moved into on the day grandpa died. I had been instructed by well-meaning relatives that I should not cry in front of her, but it was so very difficult to remain stoic while she grieved.

Someone has well said, “God must have had a good sense of humor, else God could not have made monkeys, pelicans and some of us.” Laughter gives us a wholesome attitude towards one another. When two people laugh together, there is a sense of belonging. Laughter carries with it sympathy for others; it tends to remove suspicion, doubts and antagonism. When we laugh together, we feel united, we are ready to forgive, and we begin to love. People cannot hate each other while they are laughing.

In the letter 12/12 to the editor, Mr. Maggio seems to think that Oldham school taxes are fair, far from it.

It is not easy as a senior citizen living on social security. Of my annual social security, one month of my income is consumed by the Oldham County school tax, not to mention tax on the water and phone bills.

My name is Anderson and I have been a good 2 year old boy. I sing Christmas songs to my family and friends to make them happy. I also am a good listener except when I knocked over the Christmas Tree. For Christmas I want Batman sheets, so he can keep me safe like my dad. I will leave out cookies and milk in my cup so you don’t spill.